Old gift cards gathering dust?

The demise of the remaining Blockbuster stores serves as a reminder to check our wallets for old
gift cards.

Sure, there's still time to use your Blockbuster gift card, but what's the point of hanging on
to other gift cards that you'll never use that could be exchanged for cash?

About a dozen or so companies will buy your old gift cards, but they will offer you different
amounts so it pays to shop around, says GiftCardGranny.com, an online exchange that lists the bids
from some of the companies that will buy old cards.

You also can sell cards that have been partially used. Just be sure to find out the exact
balance before you sell it. You can do that by checking the company's website or calling their
customer-service department.

Most gift-card companies will pay you with a check, but others will give you the additional
option of getting instant cash through PayPal or an Amazon gift card. If you trade your card for an
Amazon card, you'll usually get up to 5 percent more back than if you choose cash.